Nobody would be as excited as Santosh Iyer today to switch on the television from 9am when the captains of India and New Zealand walk out for the toss at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium. After all, his son Shreyas is set to debut in the first Test.

Iyer Sr’s long-pending wish will finally be fulfilled. “Test cricket is the real cricket. I always wanted him to play Tests.  Today, that dream will come true. My wife and I are absolutely delighted,” Iyer’s father, who was eagerly waiting to speak with his son, told mid-day on Wednesday.